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The old saying goes you only have one
chance to make a first impression, and digging into putting together the new Steel City Table saw I found myself impressed. The steel tube crate was bolted together, and after taking it off I got my first good look inside the cabinet.
chance to make a first impression, and digging into putting together the new Steel City Table saw I found myself impressed. The steel tube crate was bolted together, and after taking it off I got my first good look inside the cabinet.
Two latches hold the motor cover on, and I was impressed with the fact that the motor was secured with a block of foam.
After removing the foam and putting the belt on the pulleys I spent some time examining the interior of the saw.
At the bottom of the photo you can see a ramp that will direct dust and chips to the dust collection port at the back of the saw. Everything inside was a bit heavier than I expected, after all this is an entry level saw and it retails for around $1000. If a manufacturer is going to cut some corners, this is usually where they do it. Here is a close look at the trunnions (which mount to the cabinet by the way) at the back end of the saw.
The next tasks to take care of were to mount the cast iron wings and put on the height and angle adjustment wheels. Putting on the wings isn’t an everyday task, and it can be a pain getting them bolted on and lined up.
I managed to get some help from Ellis Walentine getting them in place. Ellis was passing through Cincinnati, and dropped by to visit.
Steel City added an extremely thoughtful touch to the wing attachment. On every other saw I’ve put together,
lining up the wings involved sticking shims between the wing and the top. This is a tria
l and error process; guessing at a shim thickness, lifting up the end of the wing, then checking with a straight edge. It’s on of those things you never get right the first time, and it can get frustrating. With the set screws, it only took a twist of the wrench to set the wings right where I wanted them. That was all I had time for today. Tomorrow I’ll be putting on the fence and hopefully be cutting wood by lunchtime.
l and error process; guessing at a shim thickness, lifting up the end of the wing, then checking with a straight edge. It’s on of those things you never get right the first time, and it can get frustrating. With the set screws, it only took a twist of the wrench to set the wings right where I wanted them. That was all I had time for today. Tomorrow I’ll be putting on the fence and hopefully be cutting wood by lunchtime.
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Comments
How much heavier are the trunnions compaired to other hybrid saws? Is it better for the trunnions to be mounted to the cabinet? I’m looking to move up from the contractor saw and really dont need a 3 horse power saw. Everything i’ve been reading about Steel City has been positive so far.